So, for the Indiana Pacers, it’s put up or shut up time this weekend. Now they are facing heavy injury to their backcourt and wing cadre. On Saturday night, the team will face off against those same Boston Celtics. The Celtics are once again doing things differently this season as they opt to go with a smaller lineup. This should be a captivating matchup and an opportunity to see more eye-popping performances from players like Wendell Carter Jr. and Aaron Nesmith as well.
Wendell Carter Jr. ’s Friday night triple-double was a thing of beauty, underscoring his ability and range from and position on the court. He won’t be a first option in the Orlando Magic’s attack, but he cleared his scoring prop with ease. This performance is a good sign that he should have a larger impact going forward. So far this season, the Magic have insufficient offensive firepower. In turn, No. 6 overall pick Anthony Black has the likelihood of belatedly earning extended minutes and altering the game’s tenor.
The Pacers have been hit by a wave of injuries that have decimated their starting five. Tyrese Haliburton has been ruled out, as he deals with an Achilles, and T.J. McConnell will miss with a hamstring injury. Their best perimeter player, Bennedict Mathurin, is out for the season with a sore toe. Johnny Furphy is out with an ankle sprain and Quenton Jackson is dealing with hamstring issues. These absences leave the Pacers’ backcourt and wing positions severely depleted as they prepare to face a Boston team that is transitioning to a smaller lineup.
After dealing with some injuries, Aaron Nesmith has been another pleasant surprise for Indy, dropping 25 points in his most recent outing. His ability to create shots will be crucial against the Golden State Warriors, who may struggle to effectively contain him during close-outs. The Warriors have their own demons to exorcise. Star Stephen Curry is a game-time decision with illness, potentially adding another layer of difficulty to their plan.
Furthermore, Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers is expected to be absent during the second leg of a back-to-back game. This development could shift the focus onto other players as teams prepare to adjust their strategies in light of his absence.
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